Xanthoconite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Xanthoconite
Formula:
Ag3AsS3
Colour:
Red-orange, yellow-orange, red-brown, brown
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
5.54
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
From Greek "xanthos", yellow, and "konis", powder, for the yellow colour of the streak.
Dimorph of:
The monoclinic dimorph of proustite.
The xanthoconite -> proustite transition occurs at 180-202°C (Roland, 1970).
The xanthoconite -> proustite transition occurs at 180-202°C (Roland, 1970).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4330
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4330:0
IMA Classification of Xanthoconite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ag1+3As3+S2-3
First published:
1840
Classification of Xanthoconite
2.GA.10
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
A : Neso-sulfarsenites, etc. without additional S
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
G : Sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites
A : Neso-sulfarsenites, etc. without additional S
3.4.2.1
3 : SULFOSALTS
4 : ø = 3
3 : SULFOSALTS
4 : ø = 3
5.2.4
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
2 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Ag
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
2 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Ag
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Xcn | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Xanthoconite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Xanthoconite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Red-orange, yellow-orange, red-brown, brown
Streak:
Orange-yellow
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN25=71 - 93 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Distinct on {001}
Distinct on {001}
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
5.54(14) g/cm3 (Measured) 5.53 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Xanthoconite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
Dispersion:
r < v strong
Optical Extinction:
X ≃ c, Y ≃ a, Z = b
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 33.7% | 37.1% |
| 420nm | 32.2% | 36.1% |
| 440nm | 30.7% | 35.1% |
| 460nm | 29.1% | 33.7% |
| 480nm | 27.6% | 32.1% |
| 500nm | 26.1% | 30.1% |
| 520nm | 24.8% | 28.5% |
| 540nm | 23.7% | 27.3% |
| 560nm | 22.7% | 26.3% |
| 580nm | 22.0% | 25.5% |
| 600nm | 21.5% | 24.8% |
| 620nm | 21.3% | 24.4% |
| 640nm | 21.0% | 24.1% |
| 660nm | 20.8% | 23.8% |
| 680nm | 20.6% | 23.6% |
| 700nm | 20.4% | 23.5% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 37.1%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Comments:
Refractive indices = ~3.
Chemistry of Xanthoconite
Mindat Formula:
Ag3AsS3
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Xanthoconite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.99 Å, b = 6.26 Å, c = 17.08 Å
β = 110°
β = 110°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.915 : 1 : 2.728
Unit Cell V:
1,204.67 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Tabular, laths, pyramids
Twinning:
{001}
pseudoorthorhombic twins
pseudoorthorhombic twins
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014651 | Xanthoconite | Rosenstingl J, Pertlik F (1993) Neuberechnung der kristallstruktur von naturlichem und synthetischem monoklinen Ag3AsS3 (= xanthokon) nebst einer diskussion zur symmetrie Mitteilungen der Osterreichischen Mineralogischen Gesellschaft 138 9-16 | 1993 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0009336 | Xanthoconite | Engel P, Nowacki W (1968) Die kristallstruktur von Ag3AsS3 Acta Crystallographica B24 77-81 |  | 1968 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.00 Å | (100) |
| 2.82 Å | (60) |
| 3.14 Å | (30) |
| 2.13 Å | (30) |
| 5.5 Å | (20) |
| 4.02 Å | (20) |
| 3.38 Å | (20) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Geological Setting:
Hydrothermal veins
Type Occurrence of Xanthoconite
Synonyms of Xanthoconite
Other Language Names for Xanthoconite
Relationship of Xanthoconite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Proustite Group:
| Proustite | Ag3AsS3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
| Pyrargyrite | Ag3SbS3 | Trig. 3m : R3c |
| Pyrostilpnite | Ag3SbS3 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Structurally related to group(s):
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 113 photos of Xanthoconite associated with Proustite | Ag3AsS3 |
| 23 photos of Xanthoconite associated with Marrite | AgPbAsS3 |
| 22 photos of Xanthoconite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 17 photos of Xanthoconite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 11 photos of Xanthoconite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 10 photos of Xanthoconite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 8 photos of Xanthoconite associated with Native Silver | Ag |
| 8 photos of Xanthoconite associated with Sternbergite | AgFe2S3 |
| 6 photos of Xanthoconite associated with Acanthite | Ag2S |
| 5 photos of Xanthoconite associated with Jordanite | Pb14As6S23 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.GA. | Pyradoketosite | Ag3SbS3 |
| 2.GA. | Arsiccioite | AgHg2Tl(As,Sb)2S6 |
| 2.GA. | Eckerite | Ag2CuAsS3 |
| 2.GA.05 | Proustite | Ag3AsS3 |
| 2.GA.05 | Pyrargyrite | Ag3SbS3 |
| 2.GA.10 | Pyrostilpnite | Ag3SbS3 |
| 2.GA.15 | Samsonite | Ag4MnSb2S6 |
| 2.GA.20 | Bytízite | Cu3SbSe3 |
| 2.GA.20 | Skinnerite | Cu3SbS3 |
| 2.GA.20 | Wittichenite | Cu3BiS3 |
| 2.GA.25 | Lapieite | NiCuSbS3 |
| 2.GA.25 | Lisiguangite | PtCuBiS3 |
| 2.GA.25 | Malyshevite | PdCuBiS3 |
| 2.GA.25 | Roterbärite | PdBiCuSe3 |
| 2.GA.25 | Mückeite | NiCu(Bi,Sb)S3 |
| 2.GA.30 | Aktashite | Cu6Hg3As4S12 |
| 2.GA.30 | Nowackiite | Cu6Zn3As4S12 |
| 2.GA.30 | Zhengminghuaite | Cu6Fe3As4S12 |
| 2.GA.30 | Gruzdevite | Cu6Hg3Sb4S12 |
| 2.GA.35 | Laffittite | AgHgAsS3 |
| 2.GA.40 | 'Unnamed (Ag-Fe endmember of Routhierite Group)' | AgFe2TlAs2S6 |
| 2.GA.40 | Routhierite | Tl(Cu,Ag)(Hg,Zn)2(As,Sb)2S6 |
| 2.GA.40 | Stalderite | Tl(Cu,Ag)(Zn,Fe,Hg)2(As,Sb)2S6 |
| 2.GA.40 | Ralphcannonite | AgZn2TlAs2S6 |
| 2.GA.40 | Ferrostalderite | CuFe2TlAs2S6 |
| 2.GA.45 | Erniggliite | Tl2SnAs2S6 |
| 2.GA.50 | Cerromojonite | CuPbBiSe3 |
| 2.GA.50 | Seligmannite | PbCuAsS3 |
| 2.GA.50 | Součekite | CuPbBi(S,Se)3 |
| 2.GA.50 | 'Unnamed (Pb-Cu-Bi Selenide)' | PbCuBiSe3 |
| 2.GA.50 | Bournonite | PbCuSbS3 |
| 2.GA.55 | Eldragónite | Cu6BiSe4(Se2) |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Xanthoconite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4330.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Xanthoconite
Reference List:
Peacock, M. A. (1950) Studies of mineral sulpho-salts: XV. Xanthoconite and pyrostilpnite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 29 (211) 346-358 doi:10.1180/minmag.1950.029.211.11
Engel, P., Nowacki, W. (1968) Die Kristallstruktur von Xanthokon, Ag3AsS3. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 24 (1) 77-81 doi:10.1107/s056774086800172x
Localities for Xanthoconite
Showing 108 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| A. R. Seymon |
Canada | |
| R. O. Meyer collection |
| 159-161. +1 other reference |
| Berry (1971) |
| Dana 7:I:372. +1 other reference | |
| Petruk et al. (1971) | |
| Petruk (1971) | |
| Woodside (n.d.) |
| Petruk (1971) +2 other references |
| Dana 7:I: 311 +1 other reference |
Cayman Islands | |
| Gartman et al. (2025) |
Chile | |
| Dana 7:I:372. |
| A. Moesta +3 other references | |
| sample collected by MDini |
Czech Republic | |
| Sejkora |
| Kašpar |
| Duda |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) | |
| Fengl (1.) |
| |
| Hyrsl et al. (2009) | |
| Sejkora (1994) |
France | |
| Pélisson (1989) |
| Alain Steinmetz Collection +1 other reference |
| Bari (1982) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Bariand et al. (n.d.) |
| Thierry Brunsperger collection | |
| This mine worked the same vein as Gabe ... +2 other references | |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Haas (n.d.) |
| Bernadi et al. (2014) |
| R. Pierrot |
Germany | |
| Aufschluss 71 (6) |
| S Wolfsried collection |
| Mandler (1991) |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| |
| |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1989) +1 other reference |
| undefined +2 other references |
| Weiß (1990) |
| |
| Anthony (1997) |
| O Dziallas collection |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| M Kampf collection |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| A. Breithaupt (1840) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| 90. +1 other reference |
| Haas (n.d.) |
| Gerstenberg (n.d.) |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (1999) |
| Rieck (n.d.) | |
| Tombros et al. (2008) |
Hungary | |
| Sándor Szakáll +1 other reference |
| |
Ireland | |
| Gasparrini (1978) +4 other references |
| Andrew et al. (2025) | |
Italy | |
| Rivista Mineralogica Italiana anno 2014 ... |
| Biagioni et al. (2012) +1 other reference |
Japan | |
| Kato (1973) |
| Kato (1968) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Evseev (1995) +1 other reference |
Mexico | |
| Wilson et al. (1986) +1 other reference |
| King (n.d.) |
| Camprubi |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Lavinsky (n.d.) |
Morocco | |
| Weiß (2006) |
| Josef Vajdak / Czech Geoil. Survey. ... +1 other reference |
| Favreau (n.d.) |
Peru | |
| Vizquerra Benavides (2006) |
Poland | |
| Mederski et al. (2020) |
| Mochnacka et al. (2012) | |
| Mochnacka et al. (2000) +1 other reference | |
Romania | |
| www.minerals-of-the-carpathians |
Russia | |
| Plotinskaya et al. (2010) +1 other reference |
| Okrugin (2004) |
| [Der Aufschluss 1995:4 p163-180] +1 other reference | |
Slovakia | |
| Ďuďa R. et al. (1993) |
| Smithsonian Institution USNM ... | |
| Koděra |
Spain | |
| Dr. Cesar Menor-Salvan. Centro de Astrobiologia (INTA-CSIC) |
| MTI Mineralogía Topográfica Ibérica |
Sweden | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Switzerland | |
| Crumbach et al. (2017) |
Thailand | |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
UK | |
| National Museum of Wales database +1 other reference |
USA | |
| - (2008) |
| - (2008) | |
| Fred de Vito specimens |
| Rickard (1983) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Ream (1995) |
| Anthony et al. (1990) | |
| Dana 7:I:372. | |
| Ream (2004) |
| Rocks & Min. 70:255 | |
| Anthony et al. (1990) |
| USGS Bull 997 |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
Quick NavTopAbout XanthoconiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPronunciation Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Imiter mine, Imiter mining district, Tinghir Cercle, Tinghir Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco